Translating apparatus, dictionary search apparatus, and translating method

ABSTRACT

If a context process range extending unit cannot obtain context information required by a context processing unit, from a range to be translated, it extends the context process range. Then, the context processing unit performs a context process, and passes extracted context information to a translation processing unit in order to perform translation, based on the extended context process range.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a translating apparatus, adictionary search apparatus, and a translating method, which arepreferably applied for when translation is to be efficiently performedbased on context in a machine translating process.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

[0002] Conventional machine translation is performed in sentences due tothe limitation of a processing capability. For example, if a textwritten in a foreign language is translated, a grammatical structure ofthe text to be translated and a knowledge of the words used arenecessary.

[0003] However, an understandable text can often not be obtained ifcontext information, that is, a meaning of one sentence to be translatedin the entire text, is not properly interpreted, even if the grammaticalstructure of the text to be translated, and the knowledge of words, etc.used are known.

[0004] If it cannot be determined whether the English word “car” meanseither an “automobile” or a “railroad car” from the information includedin a sentence, a sentence preceding or succeeding the sentence inquestion, or the context of the entire text must be referenced in orderto determine the meaning of the one word.

[0005] Actually, not only the simple selection of a translated word, butalso an interpretation of a complex meaning is required to be made basedon the context.

[0006] In recent years, a short sentence has been able to be analyzedwith high accuracy, thereby performing translation with higher accuracyaccording to a context process.

[0007] This context process enables the following processes to beperformed, which could not be realized by using only a sentence.

[0008] Selecting a translated word by estimating a field of a documentto be translated

[0009] Selecting a suitable expression method by estimating a type of adocument to be translated

[0010] Removing ambiguity existing in a reference relationship

[0011] Completing an abbreviation

[0012] A mechanism and a method for performing a translation processusing context information for a document to be translated, have beendeveloped. Additionally, a method or apparatus for learning contextinformation, and a translating apparatus for performing a translationprocess using learned context information, have been developed.

[0013] However, the translation process using a conventional contextprocess is performed only when an entire document is specified as atranslation target.

[0014] That is, if a portion of a document is specified as a translationtarget, the context process is not performed.

[0015] Therefore, when a portion of a document such as one sentence, oneparagraph, etc. is translated, the entire document must be specified asa translation target in order to obtain accurate translation using thecontext process. As a result, it takes a large amount of time to performthe process.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0016] An object of the present invention is to provide a translatingapparatus, a dictionary search apparatus, and a translating method fortranslating a portion of a document efficiently and accurately.

[0017] According to a feature of the present invention, a range to betranslated and a context process range in original text are setseparately. Therefore, even if only a portion of a document is specifiedas a range to be translated, it can be translated efficiently andaccurately by referencing context; outside the range to be translated.

[0018] According to an additional feature of the present invention, arange to be translated and a context process range in original text areseparately set to perform a context process. As a result, a translationprocess is performed by referencing context outside the range to betranslated, thereby translating the portion of a document efficientlyand accurately.

[0019] According to a further feature of the present invention, fieldestimation is made as a context process. Even if there is no wordidentifying a field in a range to be translated, the field can beidentified according to context outside the range to be translated. As aresult, a suitable translation process depending on a field can beperformed.

[0020] According to a still further feature of the present invention,document type estimation is made as a context process. Even if there isno expression which allows a document type to be identified in a rangeto be translated, a suitable translation process depending on a documenttype can be performed by identifying the document type according tocontext outside the range to be translated.

[0021] According to a still further feature of the present invention, anabbreviation is estimated as a context process. Even if there is nocomplete form of the abbreviation in a range to be translated, it can besearched according to context outside the range to be translated. As aresult, a translation process can be performed with completion of anabbreviation.

[0022] According to a still further feature of the present invention, areference destination is estimated as a context process. Even if a rangeto be translated includes no word pointed to by a pronoun included inthis range, a translation process can be performed while replacing thepronoun depending on need, by searching the word pointed to by thepronoun according to context outside the range to be translated.

[0023] According to a still further feature of the present invention, asentence to be translated is identified according to a range to betranslated. As a result, a translation process can be performedaccurately.

[0024] According to a still further feature of the present invention, agroup of sentences to be translated is identified according to a rangeto be translated. As a result, a translation process can be performedaccurately.

[0025] According to a still further feature of the present invention, asentence to be translated is identified by ignoring an inline tag. Thatis, a translation process can be accurately performed by removing aportion unrelated to translation.

[0026] According to a still further feature of the present invention, asentence to be translated is highlighted. As a result, a translationprocess can be performed while recognizing the sentence to betranslated.

[0027] According to a still further feature of the present invention, afirst word having a plurality of translated words, and one of secondwords closest to the location of the first word among second wordsrepresenting the translated words of the first word, are highlighted. Asa result, a state of a context process can be recognized with ease bydisplaying context information simply.

[0028] According to a still further feature of the present invention, asentence to be translated is highlighted with a first method, and acontext process range is highlighted with a second method. As a result,a translation process can be performed while recognizing the contextprocess range, by making a distinction between the sentence to betranslated and the context process range.

[0029] According to a still further feature of the present invention, aword at a reference destination and a word at a reference source arehighlighted. As a result, a translation process can be performed whilerecognizing a state of a context process.

[0030] According to a still further feature of the present invention, anabbreviation and its complete form are highlighted. As a result, atranslation process can be performed while recognizing a state of acontext process.

[0031] According to a still further feature of the present invention, acontext process range is extended if a translated sentence correspondingto an original sentence cannot be identified. If context informationwhich allows a translated sentence to be identified is not included in arange to be translated, the translated sentence can be identifiedaccording to context outside the range to be translated. As a result, aportion of a document can be translated efficiently and accurately.

[0032] According to a still further feature of the present invention, acontext process range is extended in sentences until a sentence to betranslated corresponding to an original sentence can be determined. As aresult, a portion of a document can be translated efficiently andaccurately by performing a context process such as estimating anabbreviation, estimating a reference destination, etc. efficiently.

[0033] According to a still further feature of the present invention, acontext process range is extended in paragraphs in correspondence with arange to be translated until a translated sentence corresponding to anoriginal sentence can be determined. As a result, a portion of adocument can be translated efficiently and accurately by performing acontext process such as estimating a field, estimating a document type,etc. efficiently.

[0034] According to a still further feature of the present invention, adirection in which a context process range is extended is determinedaccording to a type of a context process. As a result, the contextprocess is efficiently performed, thereby translating a portion of adocument efficiently and accurately.

[0035] According to a still further feature of the present invention, acontext process range is extended in sentences in a forward directionuntil a translated sentence corresponding to an original sentence can bedetermined. The context process such as estimating a referencedestination is performed efficiently, thereby translating a portion of adocument efficiently and accurately.

[0036] According to a still further feature of the present invention, acontext process range is set in correspondence with a range to betranslated separated into paragraphs, if the range to be translated inoriginal text straddles a plurality of paragraphs. As a result, even ifa topic changes at the beginning of a next paragraph, a context processcan be performed accurately by extracting context corresponding to therange to be translated correctly, thereby performing a context processcorrectly.

[0037] According to a still further feature of the present invention, aninline tag is removed from a context process range. That is, by removinga portion unrelated to context, a context process can be performedefficiently.

[0038] According to a still further feature of the present invention, acontext process range is stopped from extending at a boundary ofcontext. As a result, a context process can be performed accurately andquickly by performing the context process in a context process rangeincluding context corresponding to a range to be translated.

[0039] According to a still further feature of the present invention,context information is displayed in correspondence with a range to betranslated in original text. As a result, a translation process can beperformed while recognizing a state of a context process in the range tobe translated.

[0040] According to a still further feature of the present invention, aplurality of pieces of context information are displayed as candidatesif a translated sentence corresponding to an original sentence cannot bedetermined. As a result, a translation process can be performed whilerecognizing a state of a context process being performed in a range tobe translated.

[0041] According to a still further feature of the present invention,context information includes a field name, document type, complete formof an abbreviation, or a word at a reference destination. As a result, atranslation process can be performed while recognizing the field name,document type, complete form, or the reference destination.

[0042] According to a still further feature of the present invention, ifa range to be translated in original text straddles a plurality ofparagraphs, it is divided into a plurality of paragraphs to perform acontext process. As a result, even if a topic changes at the beginningof a next paragraph, context corresponding to a range to be translatedcan be extracted correctly. Therefore, a translation process can beperformed accurately.

[0043] According to a still further feature of the present invention, acontext process of original text is performed based on a context processrange which is set, and a translated word corresponding to an originalword is determined based on text in the context process range. As aresult, a dictionary search is properly performed in consideration ofcontext.

[0044] According to a still further feature of the present invention, acontext process range is extended if a translated word corresponding toan original word cannot be determined. As a result, a dictionary searchcan be properly made by allowing a context process to be performedefficiently.

[0045] According to a still further feature of the present invention, acontext process range is extended in sentences until a translated wordcorresponding to an original word can be determined. That is, byallowing a context process such as estimating an abbreviation, etc., tobe performed efficiently, a dictionary search can be made efficientlyand accurately.

[0046] According to a still further feature of the present invention,field estimation is made as a context process. If there are a pluralityof translated words corresponding to an original word, the field of theoriginal word is estimated with a context process in order to select atranslated word corresponding to the estimated field. As a result, adictionary search is performed accurately.

[0047] According to a still further feature of the present invention, anabbreviated expression is estimated as a context process. By allowing acomplete form of an abbreviation to be searched, a dictionary search canbe performed accurately.

[0048] According to a still further feature of the present invention, ameaning of a word to be searched is determined according to context in acontext process range. As a result, a dictionary search is performed inconsideration of context, thereby performing the dictionary searchaccurately.

[0049] According to a still further feature of the present invention,context of original text outside a range to be translated is referencedwhen a portion of the original text is translated. As a result, even ifthe portion of the original text is specified as the range to betranslated, the context outside the range to be translated isreferenced. Therefore, the portion of the document can be translatedefficiently and accurately.

[0050] According to a still further feature of the present invention, ifthere are first and second translated words respectively belonging tofirst and second fields, which correspond to a first original word in arange to be translated of original text, a second original word outsidethe range to be translated of the original text is referenced. If thesecond original word belongs to the first field, the first translatedword is selected for the first original word. As a result, the field ofthe first original word in the range to be translated is estimated basedon context outside the range to be translated, thereby determining atranslated word of the first original word based on the estimated field.

[0051] According to a still further feature of the present invention,data in a conversion range is converted based on context in a contextprocess range. Data is converted in consideration of information otherthan the data in the conversion range, thereby converting the dataaccurately.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0052]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a dataconversion apparatus according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0053]FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of atranslating apparatus according to the embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0054]FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of acomputer system of the translation apparatus according to the embodimentof the present invention;

[0055]FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing operations performed by atranslating apparatus according to a first embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0056]FIG. 5 shows an example of original text input to the translatingapparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0057]FIG. 6 shows a correspondence between an original sentence(English) input to the translating apparatus according to the firstembodiment of the present invention and a translated sentence (Japanese)output from the translating apparatus;

[0058]FIG. 7 shows a correspondence table between original words(English) and corresponding translated words (Japanese) provided by thetranslating apparatus according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0059]FIG. 8 shows a correspondence table between an original sentence(English) input to the translating apparatus according to the firstembodiment of the present invention and a translated sentence (French)output from the translating apparatus;

[0060]FIG. 9 shows a correspondence table between an original word(English) and corresponding translated words in respective fields(French), provided by the translating apparatus according to the firstembodiment of the present invention;

[0061]FIG. 10 shows a correspondence table between a document type andan expression method of translation, implemented by the translatingapparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0062]FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing operations performed in a contextprocess according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

[0063]FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing operations performed in a contextprocess according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

[0064]FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a method for specifying atranslation portion of an original text input to the translationapparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0065]FIG. 14 shows a method for specifying a translation range oforiginal text input to the translating apparatus according to the secondembodiment of the present invention;

[0066]FIG. 15 shows an example of original text into which inline tagsare input to the translating apparatus according to the first embodimentof the present invention;

[0067]FIG. 16 shows an example of original text into which inline tagsare input to the translating apparatus according to the secondembodiment of the present invention;

[0068]FIGS. 17A to 17C show a method for extending a context processrange by the translating apparatus according to the second embodiment ofthe present invention;

[0069]FIG. 18 shows a correspondence table between a method forextending a context process range and a context process type,implemented by the translating apparatus according to the thirdembodiment of the present invention;

[0070]FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the method for extending a contextprocess range according to the third embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0071]FIG. 20 shows a state where context information is displayed fororiginal text input to the translating apparatus according to the firstembodiment of the present invention;

[0072]FIG. 21 shows a state where context information is displayed forthe original text input to the translating apparatus according to thesecond embodiment of the present invention;

[0073]FIG. 22 shows a state where context information is displayed forthe original text input to the translating apparatus according to thethird embodiment of the present invention;

[0074]FIG. 23 shows a state where context information is displayed forthe original text input to the translating apparatus according to thefourth embodiment of the present invention;

[0075]FIG. 24 is a block diagram showing the configuration of adictionary search apparatus according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0076]FIG. 25 shows a method for specifying an original word input tothe dictionary search apparatus according to the embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0077]FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing operations performed by thedictionary search apparatus according to a first embodiment of thepresent invention; and

[0078]FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing operations performed by thedictionary search apparatus according to a second embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0079]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a dataconversion apparatus according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. The data conversion apparatus shown in this figure comprisesa conversion range setting unit 100 for setting a conversion range ofdata, a context process range setting unit 101 for setting a contextprocess range where a context process is performed, and a conversionprocessing unit 102 for converting the data in consideration of contextin the context process range. As a result, data can be converted inconsideration of context information obtained from other than data in aconversion range, thereby converting the data accurately.

[0080] Provided next is the explanation about a translating apparatusaccording to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is asimplified block diagram showing configuration of the translatingapparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. Thisapparatus is intended to quickly perform a translation process byobtaining appropriate context from a neighborhood of a range to betranslated depending on need, when a portion of a document is specifiedas the range to be translated.

[0081] In FIG. 2, a translation processing apparatus 9 comprises a userinterface 8, translation range identifying unit 4, context processingunit 5, translation processing unit 6, and a context process rangeextending unit 7. The user interface 8 comprises an original textdisplaying unit 1 and an input unit 2.

[0082] The original text displaying unit 1 is intended to displayoriginal text stored in a storing unit 3 for a translation operator. Theoriginal text displaying unit 1 is implemented by, for example, a CRTdisplay.

[0083] The input unit 2 is intended to accept a translation instructiongiven by a translation operator. The translation operator instructs theinput unit 2 of a range to be translated while watching the originaltext displaying unit 1. The input unit 2 is implemented by, for example,a mouse, a keyboard, etc.

[0084] The storing unit 3 is intended to store original text, which isimplemented by, for example, a hard disk unit, optical disk unit, etc.

[0085] The translation range identifying unit 4 is intended to extract aportion to be translated in original text from the storing unit 3,according to a translation instruction from the input unit 2. Note thata system instructing a sentence to be translated using a sentencenumber, etc. does not always require the translation range identifyingunit 4.

[0086] The context processing unit 5 is intended to perform a contextprocess in a context process range specified by the context processrange extending unit 7 for a sentence to be translated identified by thetranslation range identifying unit 4.

[0087] The translation processing unit 6 is intended to translate asentence to be translated according to context obtained by the contextprocessing unit 5, and output a translated sentence.

[0088] The context process range extending unit 7 is intended to extenda context process range where a context is retrieved by reading anoriginal text around a range to be translated from the storing unit 3,if context information required by the context processing unit 5 cannotbe obtained from a sentence to be translated which is identified by thetranslation range identifying unit 4.

[0089] Provided next is the explanation about a computer systemimplemented as the translating apparatus according to the embodiment ofthe present invention. FIG. 3 shows an example of the translatingapparatus implemented by a computer system according to the embodimentof the present invention.

[0090] In FIG. 3, a CPU 111, a memory 112, an input device 113, adisplay 114, and a disk device 115 are connected via a bus 110. Forexample, the input unit; 2 is implemented by the input device 113, theoriginal text displaying unit 1 is implemented by the display 114, andthe original text storing unit 3 is; implemented by the disk device 115.The translation range identifying unit 4, context processing unit 5,translation processing unit 6 and the context process range extendingunit 7 are implemented by, for example, the CPU 111 and the memory 112.

[0091] Provided next is the explanation about operations performed bythe translating apparatus according to the embodiment of the presentinvention, by referring to the drawings. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showingthe operations performed by the translating apparatus according to theembodiment of the present invention.

[0092] In FIG. 4, a translation operator inputs a translationinstruction to an input unit 2, and the input unit 2 accepts thetranslation instruction in step S1.

[0093] In step 2, the translation range identifying unit 4 identifies asentence to be translated in a document to be translated according tothe translation instruction input to the input unit 2.

[0094] In step S3, a context processing unit 5 performs a contextprocess for the sentence to be translated identified by the translationrange identifying unit 4 to extract context information.

[0095] In step S4, it is determined whether or not the contextinformation extracted in step S3 is sufficient for performing atranslation process by the translation processing unit 6. If the contextinformation is insufficient for the translation process, the processgoes to step S5.

[0096] Then, in step S5, a context process range extending unit 7extends a context process range where the context process will beperformed, beyond a sentence to be translated, and passes the originaltext in the extended context process range to a context processing unit5.

[0097] If it is determined that the context information is sufficientfor performing the translation process in step S4, the contextprocessing unit 5 passes sufficient context information for performingthe translation process as well as the document including the sentenceto be translated identified by the translation range identifying unit 4,to the translation processing unit 6. Then, the process goes to step S6.

[0098] In step S6, the translation processing unit 6 translates thesentence to be translated included in the document to be translated,based on the context information passed from the context processing unit5.

[0099] As described above, by separately setting a range to betranslated and a context process range in original text, context outsidethe range to be translated can be referenced even if only a portion of adocument is specified as a range to be translated. As a result, theportion of the document can be translated efficiently and accurately.

[0100] Provided next is the explanation about a context processaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention, by referringto the drawings. The context process according to the first embodimentof the present invention is intended to estimate a field. Note that thefollowing explanation is based on the assumption that a document to betranslated includes sentences, each of which terminates in one line andis numbered.

[0101] Provided first is the explanation about an example of translatingEnglish text into the equivalent Japanese.

[0102] As shown in FIG. 5, an original text displaying unit 1 is assumedto display an original sentence numbered 31 “The talks were held in theUpper House.”, and an original sentence numbered 32 “This has forced theparty to change its stance.”

[0103] A translation operator inputs the number of a desired sentence tobe translated to an input unit 2, and issues a translation instruction.If the translation operator specifies the sentence numbered 32, theoriginal sentence numbered 32 “This has forced the party to change itsstance.” will be a translation target.

[0104] Then, the context processing unit 5 performs a context processfor the original sentence numbered 32. In the context process, adictionary is consulted for each original word included in the originalsentence numbered 32. As a result of consulting the dictionary, thetranslated word “

” is selected for the original word “This”; the translated word “

” is selected for the original word “forced”; the translated word “

” or “

” is selected for the original word “party”; the translated word “

” is selected for the original word “change”; the translated word “

” is selected for the original word “its”; and the translated word “

” or “

” is selected for the original word “stance”, as shown in FIG. 6.

[0105] Furthermore, the original word “has” is recognized as anauxiliary verb, the original word “the” is recognized as a definitearticle, and the original word “to” is recognized as a function word.

[0106] Since there are a plurality of candidates for the original words“party” and “stance”, a suitable translated word must be selected usinga context process. In the meantime, there is only one translated wordcorresponding to each of the original words “This”, “forced”, “change”,and “its”. Accordingly, a Japanese equivalent for each of the originalwords is determined.

[0107] Then, field estimation is made in order to select a suitabletranslated word for each of the original words “party” and “stance”.

[0108]FIG. 7 shows a correspondence table between the translated wordsof each of the original words “party” and “stance” and the correspondingfields.

[0109] In FIG. 7, if the Japanese word “

” is selected as a translated word of the original word “party”, theoriginal sentence indicates a “general” field. If the translated word “

” is selected as a translated word of the original word “party”, theoriginal sentence indicates a “political” field.

[0110] Furthermore, if the word “

” is selected as a translated word of the original word “stance”, theoriginal sentence indicates the “general” field. Or, if the word “

” is selected as a translated word of the original word “stance”, theoriginal sentence indicates a “sports” field. Note that the “general”field indicates a word available for all fields.

[0111] Accordingly, since the “political” and “sports” fields arecandidates for the fields of the original words “party” and “stance” forwhich a translated word must be selected, a corresponding field cannotbe determined uniquely.

[0112] As a result, if field estimation is made within a range of theoriginal sentence numbered 32, this range includes no translated wordindicating the political field or the sports field only. Therefore, asuitable translated word cannot be determined uniquely for each of theoriginal words “party” and “stance”.

[0113] If context cannot be determined in a range to be translatedincluded in the original text, a context process range is extended inorder to analyze context beyond the context process range of theoriginal sentence to be translated.

[0114] Assume that a sentence preceding the sentence to be translatedshown in FIG. 5 is added to the context: process range. That is, thecontext process range extending unit 7 extracts the original sentencenumbered 31 “The talks were held in the Upper House.”, and passes theextracted sentence to the context processing unit 5.

[0115] The context processing unit 5 which receives the originalsentence numbered 31, consults a dictionary for each original word ofthis sentence. As a result, a compound “Upper House” is retrieved fromthe original sentence numbered 31. Since the compound “Upper House”indicates the “political” field only, it is determined that the originalsentence to be translated includes context related to the politicalfield. Note that context information other than field information can bealso extracted from the original sentence numbered 31.

[0116] As a result of the context process in the extended contextprocess range, sufficient context related to the original sentence to betranslated can be obtained. This context information is therefore passedto the translation processing unit 6 to perform the translation process.

[0117] Then, the translation processing unit 6 performs the translationprocess according to the context information, that is, the politicalfield. The word “

” used in the political field is selected as a translated word of theoriginal word “party”. In addition, the translated word “

” used in the sports field is deleted, and the translated word “

” available for all fields is selected.

[0118] As a result, the translated sentence “

” can be obtained for the original sentence numbered 32 “This has forcedthe party to change its stance.” Provided next is the explanation aboutan example of translating English text into the equivalent French.

[0119] As shown in FIG. 5, the original text displaying unit 1 isassumed to display the original sentence numbered 31 “The talks wereheld in the Upper House.”, and the original sentence numbered 32 “Thishas forced the party to change its stance.”.

[0120] A translation operator inputs a number of a sentence to betranslated to the input unit 2, and issues a translation instruction.Assuming that the translation operator specifies the sentence number 32,the original sentence numbered 32 “This has forced the party to changeits stance.” will be a translation target.

[0121] The context processing unit 5 then performs a context process forthe original sentence numbered 32. With the context process, adictionary is consulted for each of the original words included in theoriginal sentence numbered 32. As a result of consulting the dictionary:a translated word “Ceci” is selected for the original word “This”; atranslated word “a” is selected for the original word “has”; atranslated word “force” is selected for the original word “forced”; atranslated word “la” is selected for the original word “the”; atranslated word “parti” or “groupe” is selected for the original word“party”; a translated word “a” is selected for the original word “to”; atranslated word “changer” is selected for the original word “change”; atranslated word “sa” is selected for the original word “its”; and atranslated word “position” is selected for the original word “stance”,as shown in FIG. 8.

[0122] Since there are a plurality of candidates for the original word“party”, a suitable translated word must be selected with the contextprocess. In the meantime, there is only one equivalent for the originalwords “This”, “has”, “forced”, “the”, “to”, “change”, “its”, and“stance”. Accordingly, a translated word for each of the original wordsis determined uniquely.

[0123] Then, field estimation is made for selecting a suitabletranslated word for the original word “party”.

[0124]FIG. 9 shows a correspondence table between a translated word ofthe original word “party” and a field where the translated word is used.

[0125] In FIG. 9, if a word “parti” is selected as a translated word ofthe original word “party”, the original sentence indicates the“political” field. Or, if the word “groupe” is selected as thetranslated word of the original word “party”, the original sentenceindicates the “general” field. The “general” field indicates a wordavailable for all fields.

[0126] That is, the “political” and “general” fields will be candidatesfor the field of the original word “party” for which a translated wordmust be selected. Therefore, a corresponding field cannot be determineduniquely.

[0127] Therefore, even if the field estimation is made within a range tobe translated in the original sentence numbered 32, this range includesno translated word indicating the political field only. As a result, asuitable translated word cannot be uniquely determined for the originalword “party”.

[0128] If context cannot be determined within a range to be translatedin desired original text, a context process range is extended foranalyzing the context beyond the range to be translated in the desiredoriginal text.

[0129] Assume that a sentence preceding the sentence to be translated isadded to the context process range in FIG. 5. That is, the contextprocess range extending unit 7 extracts the original sentence numbered31 “The talks were held in the Upper House.”, and passes the extractedsentence to the context processing unit 5.

[0130] The context processing unit 5 which receives the originalsentence numbered 31, consults a dictionary for each original word ofthe sentence numbered 31 As a result, the compound “Upper House” isretrieved from the original sentence numbered 31. Since the compound“Upper House” indicates the “political” field only, it is determinedthat the original sentence to be translated includes context related tothe political field. Note that context information other than fieldinformation can be also extracted from the original sentence numbered31.

[0131] As a result of the context process performed for the extendedcontext process range, sufficient context related to the originalsentence to be translated can be obtained. Therefore, this contextinformation is passed to the translation processing unit 6 in order toperform a translation process.

[0132] Then, the translation processing unit 6 performs the translationprocess based on the context information, that is, the political field.The word “parti” used in the political field is selected as a translatedword of the original word “party”.

[0133] As a result, a translated sentence “Ceci a force la parti áchanger sa position.” can be obtained for the original sentence “Thishas forced the party to change its stance.”

[0134] As described above, even if there is no translated wordidentifying a field in a range to be translated, the field can beidentified from context outside the range to be translated. Therefore, asuitable translation process depending on a field can be performed.

[0135] Provided next is the explanation about a context processaccording to the second embodiment of the present invention, byreferring to the drawings. This context process is intended to estimatea document type.

[0136] As a document type, a political article, thesis, operatingmanual, etc. can be specified. Translation is sometimes performed in a“da/dearu” tone, or performed without using a personal pronoun,depending on a document type.

[0137]FIG. 10 shows a correspondence table between a field and adocument type when English text is translated into Japanese text. Inthis figure, if the original text is a political article, translation isperformed in a “da/dearu” tone, and in a passive voice. If the originaltext is an operating manual, translation is performed in a “desu/masu”tone, and in an imperative form. Here, the imperative form and thepassive voice are default expressions of translated text correspondingto an English expression such as “must be”, etc.

[0138] For example, the field of the original text shown in FIG. 5 isthe political field. Accordingly, the context processing unit 5references the column of the political article shown in FIG. 10, andinstructs the translation processing unit 6 to translate the article inthe “da/dearu” tone and in a passive voice.

[0139] The translation processing unit 6 receives document typeinformation as well as other context information from the contextprocessing unit 5, and performs the translation process.

[0140] As described above, even if a range to be translated includes noexpression identifying a document type, it can be identified based oncontext outside the range to be translated by estimating a documenttype. As a result, a suitable translation process depending on adocument type can be performed.

[0141] Provided next is the explanation about a context processaccording to the third embodiment of the present invention, by referringto the drawings. This context process is intended to complete anabbreviation.

[0142] The original text displaying unit 1 is assumed to display theoriginal text “In the last election, the Japan Socialist Party (JSP)enjoyed victory. The reason for JSP's victory was . . . ”.

[0143] A translation operator instructs the input unit 2 to translatethe sentence beginning with “The reason . . . ” as a sentence to betranslated.

[0144] Then, the context processing unit 5 performs a context processfor this sentence. With the context process, a dictionary is consultedfor each of the words included in the sentence beginning with “Thereason . . . ”. As a result of consulting the dictionary, the word “JSP”is recognized as an unregistered word.

[0145] The meaning of the unregistered word “JSP” cannot be determinedaccording to this sentence only.

[0146] Therefore, if context cannot be determined within a range to betranslated in original text to be translated, a context process range inthe original text to be translated is extended in order to analyze thecontext beyond the range to be translated in the original text to betranslated.

[0147] Assume that a sentence preceding the sentence to be translated isadded to the context process range. That is, the context process rangeextending unit 7 extracts the original sentence “In the last election,the Japan Socialist Party (JSP) enjoyed victory.”, and passes theextracted sentence to the context processing unit 5.

[0148] The context processing unit 5 makes a comparison between theoriginal sentence “In the last election, the Japan Socialist Party (JSP)enjoyed victory.” and the sentence to be translated including theunregistered word “JSP”.

[0149] As a result, the unregistered word “JSP” is determined as anabbreviation of the proper noun “Japan Socialist Party”.

[0150] To make such a comparison, factors such as that each of the wordsin the proper noun “Japan Socialist Party” begins with an uppercaseletter, that the words beginning with the uppercase letters are insequence, and that the abbreviation “JSP” generated by combining onlythe uppercase letters of the respective words is included, are used.

[0151] As described above, the meaning of the abbreviation can beclarified according to context of a neighborhood.

[0152] As a result of the context process performed in the extendedcontext process range, the meaning of the abbreviation can beidentified. Therefore, the result of the identification is passed to thetranslation processing unit 6 to perform a translation process.

[0153] The translation processing unit 6 then performs the translationprocess by using a translated word of the noun “Japan Socialist Party”as that of “JSP”.

[0154] As a result, the original sentence is translated as “

. . . ” if the context process is not performed. In the meantime, thesentence is translated as “

. . . ” if the context process is performed. That is, a translatedsentence that is easy to read can be obtained.

[0155]FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a context process according to thethird embodiment of the present invention.

[0156] In FIG. 11, the context processing unit 5 consults a dictionaryfor each word included in a sentence to be translated in step S11.

[0157] Then, it is determined whether or not an abbreviation is includedin the sentence to be translated in step S12. If “YES”, the process goesto step S13.

[0158] In step S13, it is determined whether or not an expression whichcompletes the abbreviation exists in a context process range. If “NO”,the process goes to step S14.

[0159] In step S14, the context process range extending unit 7 extendsthe context process range.

[0160] The context processing unit 5 then consults a dictionary for eachword included in a sentence in the extended context process range instep S15. After that, the process goes back to step S13.

[0161] If it is determined that the expression which completes theabbreviation exists in the context process range in step S13, theprocess goes to step S16.

[0162] In step S16, the abbreviation is completed in the sentence to betranslated according to the expression which completes the abbreviationin the context process range.

[0163] In step S17, the translation processing unit 6 performs atranslation process in consideration of the completed form of theabbreviation.

[0164] In the meantime, if there is no abbreviation in the sentence tobe translated in step S12, the process skips to step S17 to perform atranslation process without considering a completion of theabbreviation.

[0165] As described above, even if a range to be translated includes nocomplete form of an abbreviation, it can be retrieved from contextoutside the range to be translated by estimating the abbreviation. As aresult, a translation process can be performed with completion of theabbreviation, depending on need.

[0166] Provided next is the explanation about a context processaccording to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, byreferring to the drawings. This context process is intended to identifya reference destination.

[0167] Assume that the original text displaying unit 1 displays theoriginal text “In the last election, the Japan Socialist Party enjoyedvictory. The reason for its victory was . . . ” .

[0168] A translation operator instructs the input unit 2 to translatethe sentence beginning with “The reason . . . ” as a sentence to betranslated.

[0169] Then, the context processing unit 5 performs a context processfor this sentence. With the context process, a dictionary is consultedfor each of the original words included in the sentence beginning with“The reason . . . ” . As a result of consulting the dictionary, what thepronoun “its” indicates is determined as being indefinite.

[0170] What the pronoun “its” indicates cannot be determined from onlythe sentence to be translated which begins with “The reason . . . ” .

[0171] Therefore, if context cannot be determined within a range to betranslated in original text to be translated, a context process range isextended in order to analyze context beyond the range to be translatedin the original text to be translated.

[0172] Assume that a sentence preceding the sentence to be translated isadded to the context process range. That is, the context process rangeextending unit 7 extracts the original sentence “In the last election,the Japan Socialist Party enjoyed victory.”, and passes the extractedsentence to the context processing unit 5.

[0173] The context processing unit 5 then performs a context process forthe original sentence “In the last election, the Japan Socialist Partyenjoyed victory.” As a result, it is determined that the pronoun “its;”included in the phrase “its victory” indicates the “Japan SocialistParty”. This is because the winner of the “victory” is the “JapanSocialist Party”.

[0174] The following paper refers to such a context process.

[0175] Source Document:

[0176] Information Processing Society Study Report

[0177] Natural Language Processing Study Report

[0178] Issue Date: November 19, 1993

[0179] Title of Paper:

[0180] Context Processing System DIANA Using Context Restriction andContext Selection

[0181] Number of Paper: 98-8

[0182] Author:

[0183] Tetsuya Nasukawa

[0184] As described above, a reference destination can be clarifiedaccording to context of a neighborhood.

[0185] As a result of the context process performed in the extendedcontext process range, the reference destination can be identified.Then, the result of the identification is passed to the translationprocessing unit 6 to perform a translation process.

[0186] Then, the translation processing unit 6 performs the translationprocess using the context information indicating that the pronoun “its”points to “the Japan Socialist Party”, depending on need.

[0187] As a result, the phrase “its victory” is translated as “

” if the context process is not performed. In the meantime, this phraseis translated as “

” if the context process is performed. That is, a translated sentencewhich is easy to read can be obtained.

[0188]FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a context process according to thefourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0189] In FIG. 12, the context processing unit 5 first consults adictionary for each word in a sentence to be translated in step S21.

[0190] Then, it is determined whether or not there is a word having anambiguous reference relationship in a range to be translated in stepS22. If “YES”, the process goes to step S23.

[0191] In step S23, it is determined whether or not a context processrange includes a word or a word sequence which could possibly be areference destination. If “NO”, the process goes to step S24.

[0192] In step S24, the context process range extending unit 7 extendsthe context process range.

[0193] After the context processing unit 5 consults a dictionary foreach word in a sentence in the extended context process range in stepS25, the process goes to step S23.

[0194] If it is determined that the word or the word sequence couldpossibly be a reference destination in step S23, the process goes tostep S26.

[0195] In step S26, the reference destination of the sentence in theextended context process range is identified.

[0196] In step S27, a process such as replacing the word having theambiguous reference relationship in the range to be translated with aword at a reference destination, etc. is performed.

[0197] In step S28, the translation processing unit 6 performs atranslation process in consideration of the word at the referencedestination.

[0198] In step S22, if it Ls determined that the range to be translatedincludes no word having the ambiguous reference relationship, theprocess goes to step S28 to perform the translation process withoutconsidering the word at the reference destination.

[0199] As described above, even if a range to be translated includes noword pointed to by a demonstrative pronoun included in that range, aword pointed to by the demonstrative pronoun can be retrieved fromcontext outside the range to be translated, by estimating a referencedestination. As a result, a translation process can be performed whilereplacing a demonstrative pronoun, depending on need.

[0200] Provided next is the explanation about operations performed bythe translation range identifying unit 4 included in the translatingapparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, byreferring to the drawings. This unit is intended to identify a sentenceto be translated included in original text where one sentence does notterminate in one line, according to a position of a cursor 10.

[0201] Assume that the original text displaying unit 1 displays theoriginal text “The talks were held in the Upper House. This has forcedthe party to change its stance.”, as shown in FIG. 13.

[0202] In this case, the sentences do not terminate in one line, andthey are also not numbered.

[0203] A translation operator operates the input unit 2 to move thecursor 10 to an arbitrary position of a sentence to be translated forspecification.

[0204] Then, the translation range identifying unit 4 identifies thesentence to be translated. That is, this unit detects the position ofthe cursor 10, and automatically determines which portion thetranslation operator intends to translate according to the position ofthe cursor 10. Since translation is performed by sentence, the sentencepointed to by the cursor 10 is extracted.

[0205] For example, if the cursor is positioned at the character “e” asshown in FIG. 13, backward scanning is started from the character “e”.Then, the word beginning with an uppercase letter “This” is searched.Since the period “.” immediately follows the word “House” whichimmediately precedes the word “This”, the word “This” is determined tobe the beginning of the sentence in which the cursor 10 is positioned.

[0206] Then, forward scanning is performed from the character “e” atwhich the cursor 10 is positioned. Since the period “.” immediatelyfollows the word “stance”, this word is determined to be the last wordof the sentence in which the cursor 10 is positioned.

[0207] As a result, the sentence “This has forced the party to changeits stance” is determined as the sentence to be translated.

[0208] Then, the context processing unit 5 performs a context processfor the original sentence “This has forced the party to change itsstance.”, which is identified by the translation range identifying unit4. If context cannot be determined from this sentence only, the contextprocess range extending unit 7 extends the context process range wherethe context process is performed, to the original sentence “The talkswere held in the Upper House.”

[0209] The translation processing unit 6 then performs a translationprocess based on the context information obtained by the contextprocessing unit 5.

[0210] As a result, a translated sentence “

” can be obtained for the original sentence “This has forced the partyto change its stance.”

[0211] Provided next is the explanation about operations performed bythe translation range identifying unit 4 included in the translatingapparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention,by referring to the drawings. The translation range identifying unit 4is intended to identify a range to be translated in original text whereone sentence does not terminate in one line, according to shaded area 11produced by dragging a mouse, etc.

[0212] Assume that the original text displaying unit 1 displays theoriginal text “The talks were held in the Upper House. This has forcedthe party to change its stance.”, as shown in FIG. 14.

[0213] In this case, the sentences do not terminate in one line, andthey are also not numbered.

[0214] A translation operator operates the input unit 2, and produces ashaded area 11 in order to select a sentence to be translated.

[0215] Then, the translation range identifying unit 4 identifies thesentence to be translated. That is, the translation range identifyingunit 4 detects the range of the shaded area 11, and automaticallydetermines which portion the translation operator intends to translateaccording to the shaded area 11.

[0216] For example, if the shaded area 11 is made over the range “Thetalks were held in the Upper House. This has forced the party to change”in FIG. 14, it is determined whether or not the beginning of the rangecontained in the shaded area 11, is the beginning of a sentence. Sincethe word beginning with the uppercase letter “The” is located at thebeginning, this word is determined as the beginning of the sentence.

[0217] Then, forward scanning is started from the word “The” in order todetect a termination of the sentence. Since the period “.” existsbetween the word “House” and the word “This”, it is determined that thetermination of the sentence exists between the words “House” and “This”.

[0218] The forward scanning finally reaches the last word “change” inthe selected range of the shaded area 11, without detecting anadditional termination of a sentence other than the above describedtermination, as a result of continuing the forward scanning.

[0219] Then, it is determined whether or not the last word “change” isthe end of the sentence. Since there is no period “.” immediately afterthe last word “change”, the last word “change” is not determined as theend of the sentence.

[0220] Accordingly, the range from the most recently detectedtermination to the last word “change” is determined as being incomplete,and the range “This has forced the party to change.” is removed from therange selected by the shaded area 11.

[0221] As a result, the sentence “The talks were held in the UpperHouse.” is determined as the sentence to be translated.

[0222] The above described embodiment refers to the case where asentence is completely included in the range selected by the shaded area11. However, a sentence partially included in a range selected by theshaded area 11 may also be a sentence to be translated.

[0223] Then, the context processing unit 5 performs a context processfor the original sentence “The talks were held in the Upper House.”,which is identified by the translation range identifying unit 4. Ifcontext cannot be determined based on only this sentence, the contextprocess range extending unit 7 extends a context process range where thecontext process is performed.

[0224] The translation processing unit 6 then performs a translationprocess based on context information obtained by the context processingunit 5.

[0225] As a result, a translated sentence “

” can be obtained for the original sentence “The talks were held in theUpper House.”.

[0226] As described above, a sentence to be translated can be extractedby being suitably identified, thereby performing a translation processaccurately.

[0227] Furthermore, a group of sentences to be translated is identified,thereby performing a translation process accurately.

[0228] Provided next is the explanation about a method for processing aninline tag performed by the translating apparatus according to the firstembodiment of the present invention, by referring to the drawings. Thismethod is intended to detect an inline tag and ignore it as a non-targetin a range to be translated, if the inline tag of a markup language,etc. exists in original text.

[0229] Assume that the original text displaying unit 1 displays theoriginal sentence “This is <B> a </B> pen.”, as shown in FIG. 15. Inthis case, “<B>” and “</B>” are inline tags used to emphasize theindefinite article “a”.

[0230] A translation operator operates the input unit 2, moves a cursor41 to a character “i”, and issues a translation instruction.

[0231] The translation range identifying unit 4 then identifies asentence to be translated. That is, this unit detects the position ofthe cursor 41, and automatically determines which portion thetranslation operator intends to translate, according to the position ofthe cursor 41. Since translation is performed by sentence, a sentencewhere the cursor 41 is positioned is extracted.

[0232] For example, since the cursor 41 is positioned at the character“i”, backward scanning is started from the character “i”. Then, the wordbeginning with an uppercase letter “This” is located in FIG. 15, andthis word is determined as the beginning of the sentence where thecursor 41 is positioned.

[0233] Then, forward scanning is started from the character “i” at whichthe cursor 41 is positioned. Then, the inline tags “<B>” and “</B>” aredetected using an interpreter of a markup language. The detected inlinetags are ignored as a non-target of translation. Since the period “.”immediately follows the word “pen” as a result of continuing the forwardscanning, the word “pen” is determined as the last word in the sentencein which the cursor 41 is positioned.

[0234] As a result, the sentence “This is a pen.” is determined as thesentence to be translated.

[0235] Then, the context processing unit 5 performs a context processfor the original sentence “This is a pen.”, which is identified by thetranslation range identifying unit 4. If context cannot be determinedaccording to only the original sentence “This is a pen.”, the contextprocess range extending unit 7 extends a context process range where thecontext process is performed.

[0236] The translation processing unit 6 then performs a translationprocess based on the context information obtained by the contextprocessing unit 5.

[0237] As a result, a translated sentence “

” can be obtained for the original sentence “This is a pen.”.

[0238] As described above, a portion unrelated to translation can beremoved by ignoring an inline tag, thereby a translation process can beperformed accurately.

[0239] Provided next is the explanation about a method for processing aninline tag performed by the translating apparatus according to thesecond embodiment of the present invention, by referring to thedrawings. This method is intended to detect an inline tag, and ignore itas a non-target in a context process range to be extended, if the inlinetag of a markup language, etc. is included in original text.

[0240] Assume that the original text displaying unit 1 displays theoriginal text “This is <B> a </B> pen. And that is a book.” isdisplayed, as shown in FIG. 16. Here, “<B>” and “</B>” are inline tagsused to emphasize the indefinite article “a”.

[0241] The translation operator operates the input unit 2, moves acursor 42 to a character “b”, and issues a translation instruction.

[0242] The translation range identifying unit 4 identifies a sentence tobe translated. The translation range identifying unit 4 detects theposition of the cursor 42, and automatically determines which portionthe translation operator intends to translate, according to the positionof the cursor 42. Since translation is performed by sentence, thesentence where the cursor 42 is positioned is extracted.

[0243] Since the cursor 42 is positioned at the character “b” in FIG.16, backward scanning is started from this character. The word “And”which begins with an uppercase letter is located as a result of thescanning, and this word is determined to be the beginning of thesentence in which the cursor 42 is positioned.

[0244] Then, forward scanning is started from the character “b” at whichthe cursor 42 is positioned. Since the period “.” immediately followsthe word “book”, this word is determined to be the last word of thesentence in which the cursor 42 is positioned.

[0245] As a result, the sentence “And that is a book.” is determined asa sentence to be translated.

[0246] The context processing unit 5 performs a context process for theoriginal sentence “And that is a book.”, which is identified by thetranslation range identifying unit 4. If context cannot be determinedaccording to only the original sentence “And that is a book.”, thecontext process range extending unit 7 extends a context process rangewhere the context process is performed.

[0247] If the context process range is extended to a sentenceimmediately preceding the original sentence “And that is a book.”,backward scanning is started from the word “pen”. The inline tags “<B>”and “</B>” are detected using an interpreter of a markup language, andthese tags are removed from the context process range as a non-targetsin the extended context process range. The word “This” which begins withan uppercase letter, is located as a result of continuing the backwardscanning, and determined to be the beginning of the sentence in thecontext process range.

[0248] As a result, the original sentence “This is a pen.” is added tothe context process range, and the context processing unit 5 detectscontext information from the extended context process range.

[0249] The translation processing unit 6 then performs a translationprocess based on the context information obtained by the contextprocessing unit 5.

[0250] As a result, a translated sentence “

” is obtained for the original sentence “And that is a book.”

[0251] As described above, a portion unrelated to context can be removedby removing an inline tag from a context process range, therebyperforming a context process accurately.

[0252] Provided next is the explanation about a method for extending acontext process range performed by the translating apparatus accordingto the first embodiment of the present invention. This method isintended to extend a context process range sentence by sentence,backwards and forwards until required context can be obtained.

[0253] In FIG. 5, if context information cannot be obtained from onlythe original sentence numbered 32 “This has forced the party to changeits stance.”, the context process range is extended to a sentenceimmediately preceding or succeeding the original sentence numbered 32.

[0254] If required context cannot be obtained even though the contextprocess range is extended to the sentence immediately preceding orsucceeding the sentence to be translated, the context process rangeextending unit 7 further extends the context process range to sentencespreceding or succeeding the sentence to be translated until the requiredcontext can be obtained. The method for extending a context processrange by sentence backwards and forwards is helpful for examining acorrespondence where an interval between sentences is an importantfactor, etc.

[0255] If a sentence including required context is separate from asentence to be translated, a context process range may be extended tobefore and after the sentence to be translated in units of a pluralityof sentences.

[0256] As described above, by extending a context process range sentenceby sentence, a context process such as estimating an abbreviation,estimating a reference destination, etc. can be performed efficiently,thereby translating a portion of a document efficiently and accurately.

[0257] Provided next is the explanation about a method for extending acontext process range performed by the translating apparatus accordingto the second embodiment of the present invention, by referring to thedrawings. This method is intended to extend the context process range inparagraphs before or after a sentence to be translated until requiredcontext can be obtained.

[0258] As shown in FIG. 17A, the original text displaying unit 1 isassumed to display original text, and shaded area 20 is made in asentence to be translated “The talks were held in the Upper House.”included in the original text.

[0259] The context processing unit 5 performs a context process for thesentence to be translated in which the shaded area 20 is made. Ifsufficient context information cannot be obtained from the shadedsentence as a result of the context process, the context process rangeextending unit 7 extends the context process range to an entireparagraph including the sentence to be translated.

[0260] That is, the context process range extending unit 7 specifies thetext contained in the shaded area 21 is made “Secondly, . . . The talkswere held in the Upper House. This has forced the party to change itsstance.”, as a context process range, as shown in FIG. 17B.

[0261] To identify the paragraph as the context process range, backwardscanning is started from the shaded original sentence to be translatedin order to check to see if any sentence exists. A sentence which beginswith “Secondly,” is determined to precede the sentence to be translatedwhere the shaded area 20 is made. Then, it is determined whether or notthe sentence beginning with “Secondly,” is the beginning of theparagraph. Since this sentence is indented and an empty line existsbetween the preceding sentence beginning with “Firstly” and this line,it is determined to be the first sentence of the paragraph.

[0262] Next, forward scanning is started from the sentence to betranslated where the shaded area 20 is made, in order to check to see ifany sentence exists. The sentence “This has forced the party to changeits stance.” follows the shaded sentence to be translated. Then, it isdetermined whether or not the detected sentence is the last sentence ofthe paragraph. Since no sentence immediately follows this sentence inthe same line; there is an empty line between the succeeding sentenceand this sentence; and the next sentence is indented, the sentence “Thishas forced the party to change its stance.” is determined to be the lastsentence of the paragraph.

[0263] With the above described method, the context process range afterextension is identified by detecting the first and the last sentences ofa paragraph.

[0264] Then, the context processing unit 5 extracts context informationfrom the context process range contained in the shaded area 21 is made,as shown in FIG. 17B. If sufficient context information cannot beobtained from the context process range contained in the shaded area 21is made, the context process range extending unit 7 extends the contextprocess range to the entire text of the next paragraph.

[0265] Assume that the context process range extending unit 7 extendsthe context process range to the entire text of the preceding paragraph,as shown in FIG. 17C, and adds the sentence which begins with “Firstly,”to the context process range. As a result, the text contained in theshaded area 22 is made “Firstly, . . . , secondly, . . . . The talkswere held in the Upper House. This has forced the party to change itsstance.” is specified as the context process range.

[0266] The context processing unit 5 extracts context information fromthe context process range contained in the shaded area 22, as shown inFIG. 17C. If sufficient context information is extracted from thecontext process range contained in the shaded area 22, the contextprocessing unit 5 passes the extracted context information to thetranslation processing unit 6.

[0267] The translation processing unit 6 translates the sentence to betranslated where the shaded area 20 is made, based on the contextinformation passed from the context processing unit 5.

[0268] Note that the method for extending a context process range inparagraphs backwards and forwards is helpful for making a fielddetermination where the existence/non-existence of a word identifyingthat a specific field exists is important.

[0269] If a sentence including required context is separate from asentence to be translated, a context process range may be extendedbefore or after the sentence to be translated in units of a plurality ofparagraphs.

[0270] As described above, a context process range is extended inparagraphs corresponding to a range to be translated until a translatedsentence can be determined for an original sentence. Accordingly, acontext process such as estimating a field, estimating a document type,etc. can be performed efficiently, thereby translating a portion of adocument efficiently and accurately.

[0271] Provided next is the explanation about the method for extending acontext process range performed by the translating apparatus accordingto the third embodiment of the present invention, by referring to thedrawings. This method is intended to change the method for extending acontext process range depending on a required type of context process.

[0272]FIG. 18 shows a correspondence table between a type of contextprocess and the method for extending a context process range. This tableis pre-stored in the context process range extending unit 7.

[0273] In FIG. 18, when field estimation is made, a context processrange is extended in paragraphs before or after a sentence to betranslated.

[0274] When document type estimation is made, the context process rangeis extended in paragraphs before or after the sentence to be translated.

[0275] To complete an abbreviation, the context process range isextended in sentences before or after the sentence to be translated.

[0276] In the meantime, to refer to a reference destination, the contextprocess range is extended in sentences before the sentence to betranslated.

[0277]FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the method for extending a contextprocess range performed by the translating apparatus according to thethird embodiment of the present invention.

[0278] In FIG. 19, the context processing unit 5 consults a dictionaryfor each word included in a sentence to be translated in step S31.

[0279] Then, one type of context process is selected for the sentence tobe translated, and the selected context process is performed in stepS32.

[0280] In step S33, it is determined whether or not sufficient contextinformation can be obtained from a range to be translated. If “NO”, theprocess goes to step S34.

[0281] In step S34, the correspondence table shown in FIG. 18 isreferenced to obtain a method for extending a context process rangeaccording to the selected type of context process. If the type ofcontext process is a field estimation or document type estimation, thecontext process range is extended in paragraphs before or after thesentence to be translated. If the type of context process is completionof an abbreviation, the context process range is extended in sentencesbefore or after the sentence to be translated. If the type of contextprocess is referring to a reference destination, the context processrange is extended in sentences before the sentence to be translated.

[0282] In step S35, the context process range extending unit 7 extendsthe context process range based on the method for extending a contextprocess range obtained in step S34.

[0283] The context processing unit 5 then performs a context process fortext in the extended context process range in step S36.

[0284] In step S37, the context processing unit 5 determines whether ornot sufficient context information can be obtained from the extendedcontext process range. If “NO”, the process goes to step S35 torepeatedly extend the context process range.

[0285] If it is determined that sufficient context information can beobtained from the extended context process range, the process goes tostep S38.

[0286] The context processing unit 5 determines whether or not all typesof context processes have been performed in step S38. If “NO”, theprocess goes to step S32 to perform a next type of context process, andcompletes the process after all types of context processes have beenperformed.

[0287] If it is determined that sufficient context information can beobtained from the context process range in step S33, the process goes tostep S38.

[0288] As described above, a context process can be efficientlyperformed by determining a direction in which a context process range isextended based on a type of context process, thereby translating aportion of a document efficiently and accurately.

[0289] Additionally, a context process for estimating a referencedestination can be efficiently performed by extending a context processrange in sentences in a backward direction, thereby translating aportion of a document efficiently and accurately.

[0290] Furthermore, a context process can be performed in a contextprocess range having a context corresponding to a range to be translatedby terminating extension of the context process range at a boundary ofthe context, thereby performing the context process accurately andquickly.

[0291] Provided next is the explanation about a method for dividing arange to be translated performed by the translating apparatus accordingto the first embodiment of the present invention. This method isintended to perform translation by dividing the range to be translatedfor each paragraph, if the range to be translated straddles a pluralityof paragraphs. This is also because context may change at a change ofparagraph.

[0292] That is, if the last sentence of a paragraph A and the firstsentence of a paragraph B are simultaneously specified as sentences tobe translated by a process of dragging a mouse, etc., the last sentenceof the paragraph A and the first sentence of the paragraph B are scannedwhen a context process is performed. Then, it is detected that thesesentences respectively belong to different paragraphs, so that the rangeto be translated is determined to straddle the plurality of paragraphs.

[0293] Then, a translation process is respectively performed for thelast sentence of the paragraph A and the first sentence of the paragraphB that are determined to straddle the plurality of paragraphs.

[0294] As a result, the last sentence of the paragraph A can betranslated based on only the context of the paragraph A, while the firstsentence of the paragraph B can be translated based on only the contextof the paragraph B. Accordingly, even if a topic suddenly changes at thechange of paragraph from A to B, translation can be performedaccurately.

[0295] Assuming that a topic of baseball changes to the one such as theweather of the next day, means of transportation to a baseball ground,etc., a translation process can be performed for respective fields suchas a baseball field, a weather field, and a transportation field,thereby performing the translation process accurately.

[0296] As described above, context corresponding to a range to betranslated can be accurately extracted by dividing the range intoparagraphs, even if a topic suddenly changes at a change to a nextparagraph. As a result, a translation process can be performedaccurately.

[0297] Provided next is the explanation about a method for dividing arange to be translated, performed by the translating apparatus accordingto the second embodiment of the present invention. This method isintended to divide a range to be translated for each paragraph, and seteach context process range for each of the divided ranges to betranslated for each of the paragraphs. This is because context may oftenchange as a paragraph changes.

[0298] If the last sentence of the paragraph A and the first sentence ofthe paragraph B are simultaneously specified as sentences to betranslated by a process of dragging a mouse, etc., these sentences arescanned when a context process is performed. Then, it is detected thatthese sentences respectively belong to different paragraphs, so that therange to be translated is determined to straddle the plurality ofparagraphs.

[0299] A translation process is then performed respectively for the lastsentence of the paragraph A and the first sentence of the paragraph Bthat are determined to straddle the plurality of paragraphs.

[0300] If sufficient information cannot be obtained from the lastsentence of the paragraph A when a translation process is performed forthe last sentence of the paragraph A, a context process range isextended based on only the last sentence of the paragraph A. Then,context information is extracted from the extended context processrange, and the last sentence of the paragraph A is translated.

[0301] In the meantime, if sufficient context information cannot beobtained from the first sentence of the paragraph B, a context processrange is extended based on only the first sentence of the paragraph B.Then, context information is extracted from the extended context processrange, and the first sentence of the paragraph B is translated.

[0302] That is, the last sentence of the paragraph A can be translatedindependently from the first sentence of the paragraph B, and the firstsentence of the paragraph B can be translated independently from thelast sentence of the paragraph A. Therefore, even if a topic suddenlychanges at the change of paragraph from A to B, translation can beperformed accurately.

[0303] As described above, context corresponding to a context processrange can be accurately extracted by setting a context process range foreach divided range to be translated for each paragraph, when a topicchanges at a change of paragraph.

[0304] Provided next is the explanation about a method for displayingcontext information according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention, by referring to the drawings. This method is intended todisplay context information determined and obtained by a contextprocess, at the side of a sentence to be translated.

[0305] Assume that the original text displaying unit 1 displays theoriginal text “The talks were held in the Upper House. This has forcedthe party to change its stance.”, as shown in FIG. 20.

[0306] A shaded area 43 is made for a sentence to be translated, whichis identified by the translation range identifying unit 4.

[0307] Then, the context processing unit 5 performs a context processfor the sentence to be translated, and detects a compound “Upper House”from the sentence to be translated in which the shaded area 43 is made.Since the compound “Upper House” is used in a political field only, itis determined that the sentence to be translated in which the shadedarea is made, relates to the political field.

[0308] Next, the original text displaying unit 1 displays contextinformation 44 extracted by the context processing unit 5 from thesentence to be translated, at the side of the sentence to be translated.Since the sentence to be translated in which the shaded area 43 is made,for example, relates to the political field, a word “political” isdisplayed as context information 44.

[0309] As a result, the translation operator can recognize context of asentence to be translated, and can perform a translation process whilechecking if a suitable context process is performed.

[0310] As described above, a translation process can be performed whilerecognizing a state of a context process in a range to be translated, bydisplaying context information in correspondence with a range to betranslated in original text.

[0311] Furthermore, a translation process can be performed whileidentifying a sentence to be translated, by highlighting the sentence tobe translated.

[0312] Provided next is the explanation about a method for displayingcontext information according to the second embodiment of the presentinvention, by referring to the drawings. This method is intended todisplay context information yet to be determined, which is obtained by acontext process, at the side of a sentence to be translated.

[0313] Assume that the original text displaying unit 1 displays theoriginal text “The talks were held in the Upper House. This has forcedthe party to change its stance”, as shown in FIG. 21A.

[0314] The shaded area 45 is made for the original sentence “This hasforced the party to change its stance.”, which is identified as asentence to be translated by the translation range identifying unit 45.

[0315] Then, the context processing unit 5 performs a context processfor the sentence to be translated in which the shaded area 45 is made,and the context processing unit 5 detects the original words “party” and“stance”, respectively having a plurality of translated words, from thesentence to be translated in which the shaded area 45 is made. Theoriginal word “party” is used for a general field in addition to thepolitical field, while the original word “stance” is used for thegeneral field in addition to the sports field.

[0316] This original sentence contained in the shaded area 45, includesno word used in one particular field. Accordingly, the field of thesentence to be. translated in which the shaded area 45 is made, cannotbe identified at this stage.

[0317] Therefore, the original text displaying unit 1 displays thecontext information 46 yet to be determined, which is extracted by thecontext processing unit 5 from the sentence to be translated. Forexample, since the political and sports fields are candidates of thesentence to be translated in which the shaded area 45 is made, the words“political” and “sports” are displayed as the context information 46.

[0318] With such a display, a translation operator can recognize whetheror not context of a sentence to be translated is determined. As aresult, the translation operator can perform a translation process whilechecking to see if a suitable context process is performed.

[0319] As described above, a translation process can be performed whilerecognizing a state of a context process being performed in a range tobe translated, by displaying a plurality of pieces of contextinformation as candidates.

[0320] Provided next is the explanation about a method for displayingcontext information according to the third embodiment of the presentinvention, by referring to the drawings. This method is intended todisplay a word at a reference destination, which is obtained by acontext process, in correspondence with a word at a reference source.

[0321] Assume that the original text displaying unit 1 displays theoriginal text “The talks were held in the Upper House. This has forcedthe party to change its stance.”, as shown in FIG. 22.

[0322] The context processing unit 5 performs a context process for asentence to be translated, and determines that the original word “it”refers to the original word “party”.

[0323] The original text displaying unit 1 then displays the word at thereference destination in correspondence with the word at the referencesource, based on the context information obtained by the contextprocessing unit 5. For example, areas 50 and 51 shaded in identicalcolors are provided for the original word “party” at the referencedestination and the original word “it” at the reference source.

[0324] As a result, the translation operator can perform a translationprocess while checking to see if a process of reference relationship isproperly performed.

[0325] As described above, a translation process can be performed whilerecognizing a state of a context process, by highlighting a word at areference destination and a word at a reference source.

[0326] Provided next is the explanation about a method for displayingcontext information according to the fourth embodiment of the presentinvention, by referring to the drawings. This method is intended todisplay a word having a plurality of translated words obtained by acontext process in correspondence with a word identifying a field.

[0327] Assume that the original text displaying unit 1 displays theoriginal text “The talks were held in the Upper House. This has forcedthe party to change its stance.”, as shown in FIG. 23.

[0328] The context processing unit 5 performs a context process for asentence to be translated, and locates a word “

” used in a general field and a word “

” used in the political field, as translated words of the original word“party”. Additionally, the compound “Upper House” used in the politicalfield only, is located. Accordingly, it is determined that the sentenceto be translated relates to the political field.

[0329] As a result, the word “

” used in the political field is selected as a translated word of theoriginal word “party”.

[0330] The original text displaying unit 1 displays a word having aplurality of translated words obtained by the context process based onthe context information obtained by the context processing unit 5, incorrespondence with a word identifying a field. For example, areas 52 an53 shaded in identical colors are made for the original word “party”having a plurality of translated words, and the compound “Upper House”used as a basis for selecting one of the plurality of translated wordsfor the original word “party”.

[0331] Accordingly, a translation operator can perform a translationprocess while checking to see if a process of reference relationship isproperly performed for a sentence to be translated.

[0332] If there are a plurality of words that could be a basis forselecting a translated word for an original word, only a word closest tothe original word may be displayed, in order to prevent a display frombeing confusing to the user.

[0333] For example, if there are a number of words used only in thepolitical field in addition to the compound “Upper House” in a sentenceto be translated, only the compound “Upper House” closest to theoriginal word “party” is displayed in correspondence with the originalword “party”.

[0334] In this case, searching for the word closest to the original word“party” to be used as the basis for selecting the translated word, isperformed as described below.

[0335] That is, the field of the context of the sentence including theoriginal word “party” is determined as being “political”, by making afield estimation.

[0336] Then, backward scanning is started from the original word“party”, and a word in the political field only is searched.

[0337] Next, a first searched word among words used in the politicalfield only is displayed. In FIG. 23, the compound “Upper House”, forexample, corresponds to the first searched word.

[0338] Additionally, a translation process can be performed whilerecognizing a state of a context process, by highlighting a shortsubstitute and its formal name.

[0339] Note that a translation process may be performed whilerecognizing a field name, document type name, formal name or a word at areference destination, by displaying the above described names or word.

[0340] Additionally, context information can be concisely displayed byhighlighting a word closest to the first word among second wordsidentifying a translated word of the first word, thereby recognizing astate of a context process with ease.

[0341] Furthermore, a sentence to be translated and a context processrange can be separately recognized by highlighting the sentence to betranslated using a first method, and highlighting the context processrange using a second method, thereby performing a translation processwhile recognizing the context process range.

[0342] Provided next is the explanation about a dictionary searchapparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, byreferring to the drawings.

[0343]FIG. 24 is a simplified block diagram showing configuration of thedictionary search apparatus according to the embodiment of the presentinvention. This apparatus is intended to properly perform a dictionarysearch process by obtaining appropriate context from a neighborhood ofan original word for which a search operation is performed, depending onneed.

[0344] In FIG. 24, the dictionary search apparatus comprises a searchingunit 61, context process range setting unit 62, context processing unit63, and a determining unit 64.

[0345] The searching unit 61 is intended to search a translated word foran original word, when specified.

[0346] The context process range setting unit 62 is intended to readoriginal text around a specified original word, and set a contextprocess range, if a plurality of translated words exist for thespecified original word.

[0347] The context processing unit 63 is intended to perform a contextprocess in a context process range set by the context process rangesetting unit 62.

[0348] The determining unit 64 is intended to determine a translatedword for an original word, based on context obtained by the contextprocessing unit 63.

[0349] As described above, a dictionary search can be performed inconsideration of context by determining a translated word for anoriginal word, thereby performing the dictionary search accurately.

[0350] Provided next is the explanation about operations performed by adictionary search apparatus according to the first embodiment of thepresent invention. This apparatus is intended to estimate a field as acontext process.

[0351] Assume that the original text “The talks were held in the UpperHouse. This has forced the party to change its stance.” is displayed, asshown in FIG. 25. First of all, a translation operator who performs asearch moves a cursor 70 to a character “r” included in the originalword “party”, in order to specify this word as an original word forwhich a search operation is to be performed.

[0352] Then, scanning is performed from the character “r” in backwardand forward directions until a character space is detected. As a result,the word “party” is recognized as the original word for which the searchoperation is to be performed.

[0353] The searching unit 61 then consults a dictionary for the originalword “party”, and selects translated words “

” or “

” when an English-Japanese search is performed. Since there are aplurality of translated words for the original word “party” in thiscase, a suitable translated word cannot be determined.

[0354] Then, a field is estimated to select the suitable translated wordfor the original word “party”. That is, if the original text relates toa general field, the word “

” can be selected as a translated word of the original word “party”. Or,if the original text relates to the political field, the word “

” is selected as the translated word of the original word “party”.

[0355] The context process range setting unit 62 sets the sentence “Thishas forced the party to change its stance.”, which includes the originalword “party”, as a context process range, in order to identify a fieldof the original text.

[0356] The context processing unit 63 then performs a context processfor the sentence “This has forced the party to change its stance.”,which is set by the context process range setting unit 62. Since thissentence includes no word identifying a field in this case, the field ofthe original word “party” cannot be determined.

[0357] Therefore, the context process range setting unit 62 extends thecontext process range, and sets the text “The talks were held in theUpper House. This has forced the party to change its stance.” as acontext process range.

[0358] The context processing unit 63 then performs a context processfor this text set by the context process range setting unit 62. Sincethis text includes the compound “Upper House” used in the politicalfield only, the field of the original word “party” can be determined tobe the political field according to this compound.

[0359] The determining unit 64 therefore determines the word “

” relating to the political field, as the translated word of theoriginal word “party” shown in FIG. 9.

[0360] The searching unit 61 consults a dictionary for the original word“party”, and selects the translated words “parti” and “groupe”, when anEnglish-French search is performed. Since there are a plurality oftranslated words for the original word “party” in this case, a suitabletranslated word cannot be determined.

[0361] Next, field estimation is made in order to select the suitableword for the original word “party”. If the original text relates to ageneral field, the word “groupe” can be selected as a translated word ofthe original word “party”. Or, if the original text relates to thepolitical field, the word “parti” can be selected as the translated wordof the original word “party”.

[0362] The context process range setting unit 62 sets the sentence “Thishas forced the party to change its stance.”, which include the originalword “party”, as a context process range, in order to identify the fieldof the original text.

[0363] The context processing unit 63 then performs a context processfor the sentence “This has forced the party to change its stance.”,which is set by the context process range setting unit 62. Since thissentence does not include a word identifying a field in this case, thefield of the original word “party” cannot be determined.

[0364] Therefore, the context process range setting unit 62 extends thecontext process range, and sets the text “The talks were held in theUpper House. This has forced the party to change its stance.” as acontext process range.

[0365] The context processing unit 63 performs a context process forthis text set by the context process range setting unit 62. Since thistext includes the compound “Upper House” used in the political fieldonly in this case, the field of the original word “party” can bedetermined to be the political field, based on this compound.

[0366] The determining unit 64 therefore determines the word “parti”relating to the political field as the translated word of the originalword “party”, and displays “parti” with a higher priority. The word“parti” is displayed as a first candidate in the example shown in FIG.9. If this word is displayed later, the order of the candidates “parti”and groupe” is changed in order to display “parti” first.

[0367]FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing operations performed by thedictionary search apparatus according to the first embodiment of thepresent invention.

[0368] In this figure, a word to be searched is first identifiedaccording to a position of the cursor 70 in step S41.

[0369] Then, a dictionary is consulted for the word to be searched instep S42.

[0370] In step S43, it is determined whether or not ambiguity of a fieldexists in the word to be searched. If “YES”, the process goes to stepS44.

[0371] In step S44, a context process range is set for original textaround the word to be searched, and a field estimation is made for theoriginal text included in the set context process range.

[0372] In step S45, it is determined whether or not sufficient contextinformation can be obtained from the context process range. If “NO”, theprocess goes to step S46.

[0373] After the context process range is extended in step S46, theprocess goes back to step S44 in order to repeatedly extend the contextprocess range until sufficient context information can be obtained. Ifit is determined that sufficient context information can be obtainedfrom the context process range in step S45, the process goes to stepS47.

[0374] In step S47, a word definition matching an estimated field ismoved to a first location.

[0375] In step S48, a result of the search is displayed.

[0376] If it is determined that the word to be searched has no ambiguityof a field in step S43, the process goes to step S48 to display the worddefinition of the word searched.

[0377] As described above, even if a translated word cannot bedetermined for an original word, a context process can be efficientlyperformed for a dictionary search operation by extending a contextprocess range. As a result, the dictionary search can be performedaccurately.

[0378] In addition, a translated word corresponding to an estimatedfield can be selected by estimating a field as a context process, ifthere are a plurality of translated words for an original word. As aresult, a dictionary search can be performed accurately.

[0379] For example, if first and second translated words respectivelybelonging to first and second fields for a first original word, and if asecond original word outside a range to be translated belongs to thefirst field, the field of the first original word is estimated byselecting the first translated word for the first original word. As aresult, a translated word of the first original word can be determined.

[0380] Provided next is the explanation about operations performed bythe dictionary search apparatus according to the second embodiment ofthe present invention, by referring to the drawings. This apparatuscompletes an abbreviation as a context process.

[0381] Assume that the original text “In the last election, the JapanSocialist Party enjoyed victory. The reason for JSP's victory was . . .” is displayed.

[0382] A translation operator who makes a search moves a cursor to, forexample, the character “J” included in the word “JSP”, in order tospecify this abbreviation as a word for which a search operation of aword definition is required.

[0383] Then, scanning is performed from the character “J” in forward andbackward directions until a character space is detected. The word “JSP”is recognized as the word for which a search operation of a worddefinition is required.

[0384] The searching unit 61 consults a dictionary for the word “JSP”,and determines this word as being unregistered. Since the word “JSP” iswritten in uppercase letters in this case, this word is determined as anabbreviation.

[0385] The context process range setting unit 62 then sets the sentence“The reason for JSP's victory was ”, which includes the abbreviation“JSP”, as a context process range, in order to complete the abbreviation“JSP”.

[0386] The context processing unit 63 then performs a context processfor the sentence “The reason for JSP's victory was . . . ”, which is setby the context process range setting unit 62. Since this sentenceincludes no character string which completes the “JSP”, the abbreviation“JSP” cannot be completed.

[0387] Accordingly, the context process range setting unit 62 extendsthe context process range, and sets the original text “In the lastelection, “the Japan Socialist Party enjoyed victory. The reason forJSP's victory was . . . ”, as the context process range. The contextprocessing unit 63 performs a context process for this original text setby the context process range setting unit 62. Since this original textincludes the character string “Japan Socialist Party”, each of whichbegins with an uppercase letter “J”, “S”, and “P”, this character stringis determined as the character string which completes the abbreviation“JSP”.

[0388] Then, the searching unit 61 consults a dictionary for thecharacter string “Japan Socialist Party”, and retrieves “

” as the definition of this character string.

[0389] The determining unit 64 therefore determines “

” as the definition of the word “JSP”.

[0390]FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing operations performed by thetranslating apparatus according to the second embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0391] In this figure, a word to be searched is identified according toa position of a cursor in step S51.

[0392] Next, a dictionary is consulted for the word to be searched instep S52.

[0393] In step S53, it is determined whether or not the word to besearched is an abbreviation. If “YES”, the process goes to step S54.

[0394] In step S54, a sentence including the word to be searched is setas a context process range.

[0395] Then in step S55, it is determined whether or not included in thecontext process range, and the abbreviation is completed.

[0396] In step S56, it is determined whether or not an expressioncompleting the word to be searched exists in the context process range.If “NO”, the process goes to step S57.

[0397] The context process range is then extended to before and afterthe sentence including the word to be searched, and the process goesback to step S54.

[0398] In the meantime, if the expression completing the abbreviationexists in the context process range, the process goes to step S58.

[0399] In step S58, a dictionary is consulted for the completed word tobe searched.

[0400] In step S59, a definition of the completed word to be searched isdisplayed.

[0401] If the word to be searched is not determined as an abbreviationin step S53, the process goes to step S59 to display a definition of theword to be searched.

[0402] As described above, a complete name of an abbreviation can beretrieved by performing a context process such as estimating anabbreviation, thereby performing a dictionary search operationefficiently.

What is claimed is:
 1. A translating apparatus, comprising: translation target range setting means for setting a range to be translated in an original text; context process range setting means for setting a context process range in the original text which is at least partially different from the range to be translated; and translation processing means for translating an original text in the range to be translated into a translated text, based on a context in the context process range.
 2. A translating apparatus, comprising: input means for inputting a range to be translated in an original text; display means for displaying the original text; context process range setting means for setting a context process range in the original text; context processing means for performing a context process for the original text; and translation processing means for translating an original text in the range to be translated into translated text, based on a context in the context process range.
 3. The translating apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein said context processing means makes a field estimation.
 4. The translating apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein said context processing means makes a document type estimation.
 5. The translating apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein said context processing means estimates an abbreviation.
 6. The translating apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein said context processing means estimates a reference destination.
 7. The translating apparatus according to claim 2 , further comprising: translation range identifying means for identifying a sentence to be translated, based on the range to be translated, when the range to be translated in the original text, which is displayed by said displaying means, is input from said input means.
 8. The translating apparatus according to claim 2 , further comprising: translation range identifying means for identifying a group of sentences to be translated, based on the range to be translated, when the range to be translated in the original text, which is displayed by said displaying means, is input from said input means.
 9. The translating apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein: if an inline tag is included in the original text, said translation range identifying means identifies the sentence to be translated by ignoring the inline tag.
 10. The translating apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein: said displaying means highlights the sentence to be translated, which is identified by said translation range identifying means.
 11. The translating apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: said displaying means highlights a first word having a plurality of translated words, and a second word closest to a location of the first word, among words which identify a translated word of the first word.
 12. The translating apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein: said displaying means highlights the sentence to be translated, which is identified by said translation range identifying means, by using a first means, and highlights the context process range set by said context process range setting means, by using a second means.
 13. The translating apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein: said displaying means highlights a word at a reference destination and a word at a reference source.
 14. The translating apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein: said displaying means highlights an abbreviation and its complete name.
 15. The translating apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein: if the translated text cannot be identified for the original text, said context process range setting means extends the context process range.
 16. The translating apparatus according to claim 15 , wherein: said context process range setting means extends the context process range in sentences until the translated text can be determined for the original text.
 17. The translating apparatus according to claim 16 , wherein: said context process range setting means extends the context process range in paragraphs which correspond to the range to be translated, until the translated text can be determined for the original text.
 18. The translating apparatus according to claim 15 , wherein: said context process range setting means determines a direction to which the context process range is extended, according to a type of a context process.
 19. The translating apparatus according to claim 16 , wherein: said context process range setting means extends the context process range in sentences in a forward direction until the translated text can be determined for the original text.
 20. The translating apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein: if the range to be translated in the original text straddles a plurality of paragraphs, said context process range setting means sets each context process range in correspondence with each of ranges to be translated, which are divided in paragraphs.
 21. The translating apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein: if an inline tag is included in the original text, said context process range setting means removes the inline tag from the context process range.
 22. The translating apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein: said context process range setting means comprises: boundary detecting means for detecting a boundary of context; and terminating means for terminating an extension of the context process range at the boundary, when said boundary detecting means detects the boundary of context.
 23. A translating apparatus, comprising: input means for inputting a range to be translated in an original text; context process range setting means for setting a context process range in the original text; context processing means for performing a context process for the original text; translation processing means for translating at least that part of the original text which is in the range to be translated into a translated text, based on context in the context process range; and displaying means for displaying context information in correspondence with the range to be translated in the original text.
 24. The translating apparatus according to claim 23 , wherein: if the translated text cannot be determined for the original text, said displaying means displays a plurality of pieces of context information, as candidates.
 25. The translating apparatus according to claim 23 , wherein: the context information includes a field name, a document type name, a complete name corresponding to an abbreviation, or a word at a reference destination.
 26. A translating apparatus, comprising: translation target range setting means for setting a range to be translated in an original text; context processing means for dividing the range to be translated into paragraphs in order to perform a context process, if the range to be translated in the original text straddles a plurality of paragraphs; and translation processing means for translating the original text in the range to be translated into a translated text, based on context of each paragraph.
 27. A dictionary search apparatus, comprising: searching means for searching a translated word for an original word; context process range setting means for setting a context process range in an original text; context processing means for performing a context process for the original text; and determining means for determining a translated word for the original word, based on context in the context process range.
 28. The dictionary search apparatus according to claim 27 , wherein: if the translated word for the original word cannot be determined, said context process range setting means extends the context process range.
 29. The dictionary search apparatus according to claim 28 , wherein: said context process range setting means extends the context process range in sentences until the translated word for the original word can be determined.
 30. The dictionary search apparatus according to claim 27 , wherein: said context processing means makes a field estimation.
 31. The dictionary search apparatus according to claim 27 , wherein: said context processing means estimates an abbreviation.
 32. A dictionary search apparatus, comprising: specifying means for specifying a word to be searched; context process range setting means for setting a context process range; context processing means for performing a context process in the context process range; and determining means for determining a definition of the word to be searched, based on context of the context process range.
 33. A translating method, comprising the steps of: specifying a portion of an original text as a range to be translated; referencing context of the original text outside the range to be translated, which is stored in a storage apparatus; and translating the original text within the range to be translated.
 34. A translating method, comprising the steps of: referencing a second original word outside a range to be translated in an original text, if a first translated word belonging to a first field and a second translated word belonging to a second field exist for a first original word in the range to be translated in the original text; and selecting the first translated word for the first original word, if the second original word belongs to the first field.
 35. A data conversion apparatus, comprising: conversion range setting means for setting a data conversion range; context process range setting means for setting a context process range where a context process is performed; and conversion processing means for converting the data, based on context of the context process range.
 36. A computer-readable storage medium used to direct a computer to perform the functions of: specifying a portion of an original text as a range to be translated; referencing context of the original text outside the range to be translated, which is stored in a storage apparatus; and translating the original text within the range to be translated. 